Victoria cop requires surgery after alleged assault by prisoner

A Victoria police patrol officer is undergoing surgery today after she was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner Monday night.

Police say the 13-year police veteran was the victim of an unprovoked attack at the Royal Jubilee Hospital just before midnight, resulting in a broken orbital bone, scratched cornea and broken teeth. She required surgery to repair the fracture to her eye-socket bone.

While in police custody, a 22-year-old Kelowna man allegedly swung both his arms at the officer, striking her face.

“The attack came unprovoked as she was helping the man with a blanket so he could get dressed and be discharged,” Victoria police spokesperson Const. Mike Russell said in a statement.

The suspect had been taken to hospital earlier in the evening after police say he was yelling at bystanders and struck one person outside the Salvation Army at 525 Johnson St.

Police are recommending he be charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm, and one count of assault. The man was scheduled to appear for a telebail hearing Tuesday.

The suspect was also wanted on an arrest warrant issued out of Kelowna. Victoria police could not say why he was wanted in that city.